Internet Trailblazing?

The Internet has changed how everyone does business and this is especially true in the real estate world. A recent report shows that home buyers are using the Internet to search for homes, but the majority of real estate agents don't have websites or advertise on the Internet. Here's an excerpt:

In the latest National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, based on a survey of 7,500 home buyers and sellers, 80 percent of home buyers used the Internet in searching for a home, up from 77 percent in the 2005 survey and 74 percent in 2004.

Meanwhile, a 2006 survey by media research firm Borrell Associates Inc. found that 61 percent of real estate agents do not advertise on the Internet and 87 percent of agents do not buy keyword advertising from the Google or Yahoo search-engine companies. (from Inman News)

I've tried to take full advantage of the Internet in every way that I can and I guess that makes me a trailblazer of some kind. It just makes sense to me. I know that home buyers and sellers are using the Internet and as my clients, they expect me to use it as well.

Here are some of the Internet tools that I provide as a service to my clients...

• INTERACTIVE MAP SEARCH- An innovative way to search for homes using a map. This is the absolute best search method I've found that is available. It's very user friendly with numerous ways to search and features like SearchSaver and Favorites.
• VIRTUAL TOURS- When selling your home I can easily create a virtual tour highlighting the selling points and exposing your home to Internet users anywhere.
• HOME VALUE REPORT- If you're thinking about selling your home, just enter some simple info into this form and I'll send you an estimate of what your home is worth based on recent sales of comparable homes in your area. It's FREE and no obligation.
• WEBSITE- The hub for all these tools as well as general information on buying & selling homes.
• BLOG & CITY NEWS- I try to offer all kinds of real estate news and information through both this blog and my website.
• NEIGHBORHOOD LINKS- This ever-expanding part of my website will contain useful information about local Nashville neighborhoods with links to neighborhood associations, restaurants and other points of interest.
• ONLINE MLS REPORTS & MORE- When buying a home, I can email you reports for various homes listed in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Paper is optional these days as I can also send all sorts of documents from tax records to comparative market analysis via email and web links. My goal is to empower you as the buyer to make well-informed decisions.
• ONLINE MARKETING- Internet buyers want to see lots of pictures and details about homes that are for sale. I post all my listings to Craig's List and other similar online 'classified' advertising to get more exposure. This generates a lot of traffic to my virtual tours, especially with buyers who are out of town and considering a move to Nashville. I also do keyword advertising on search engines to invite more people to try these tools and see what makes me different.

As the Internet continues to grow and change so will the many tools and information sources available to you. Please give some of these a try and let me know what you think.

-Peter

www.NashvilleCityHomes.com
REALTOR. City Home Specialist.